Overnight Birding at the Mashomack Preserve

Baltimore orioles are among the showier migrants spotted in recent weeks at the Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island.
Jim Colligan

South Fork birders looking for a last-minute adventure close to home — and a rare chance to spend the night at the Mashomack Preserve's historic Bass Creek Cottage manor house — might still find a few spots available for the preserve's Birds and Breakfast event on Friday night into Saturday morning.

After an overnight in the manor house, visitors will rise with the birds on Saturday and set out in teams at 6 a.m. Accompanied by an expert, they'll join in "a friendly competition to identify the most birds."

The 2,000-plus-acre preserve, which is owned by the Nature Conservancy, includes a range of habitats and offers opportunities to see a plethora of shorebirds, as well as woodland and meadow species. Among the standouts are a pair of nesting bald eagles and two recently hatched young. The preserve boasts dozens of nesting eastern bluebirds. Showier migrants also spotted in recent weeks include indigo buntings, Baltimore and orchard orioles, and yellow warblers. There are nesting ospreys and several varieties of hawks.

The cost for overnight accommodations, the guided walk, and a breakfast following the walk is $135 per person. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 631-749-4219 or emailing mashomackpreserve@tnc.org.